Lots of good things, only a couple of not so good things. Works for me!

Let's go get 'em Tuesday!

walrus

04-03-2006, 02:11 AM

Sox 1, Rest of MLB 0

Chisox003

04-03-2006, 02:11 AM

THE ELUSIVE 9 GAME WINNING STREAK IS OURS!!!

:gulp::bandance::gulp::bandance::gulp:

NSSoxFan

04-03-2006, 02:12 AM

Here we go again!

:bandance::bandance::bandance:

SoxSpeed22

04-03-2006, 02:12 AM

Great way to start. The bats were on and the Sox played together and took it to 'em.
:hawk"I looove pitching depth!"

Cuck the Fubs

04-03-2006, 02:13 AM

So far so good!

Let's sweep em outta here:D:

MikeLove

04-03-2006, 02:14 AM

wow, we really outclassed the indians in all facets of the game tonight. i hope we can keep it up! gonna be a fun season. WTG Thome on CRUSHING that homerun!

whtsx1959

04-03-2006, 02:14 AM

What a dewsey! Watched every pitch of the game, half at the park, half at home, with a full scorecard - btw the scorecards are rediculously small (size is same, but larger adds and less space to write!)

mike squires

04-03-2006, 02:14 AM

So many things tonight to point out. We got to see Politte do the moonwalk and Harold spoke more in one night than he did all of last year. Let's get another one on Tuesday and at least take 2 of 3!

Good game all around. The Indians bullpen isn't scary at all this year...and I thought that long before tonight.

DSpivack

04-03-2006, 02:19 AM

I hope we go wire to wire again!:smile:

Man, it would have been kick ass to hear Hawk call that Thome shot. Oh well Miller and Morgan were at least better than Buck and McCarver.

One done on the march to 121-61.

121-61?

MUsoxfan

04-03-2006, 02:20 AM

Just as I predicted, we're leading the league in runs!:D:

koch44

04-03-2006, 02:23 AM

Guys can't you realize I'm :gulp:, I was just trying to be too optomistic.

vegyrex

04-03-2006, 02:23 AM

I'm glad I don't have to work today.

Great win!! Lets get another 99 :cool:

SOX ADDICT '73

04-03-2006, 02:24 AM

...Harold spoke more in one night than he did all of last year...
When Anderson got doubled off first, it looked to me like he was complaining to Harold a bit. Now, of course Brian should have his head in the game and know how many outs there are, but is it possible he got bad information (or, more likely, none at all) from Baines?

I wondered about his ability to communicate with baserunners when Ozzie announced the switcheroo with Rock. Raines was very vocal at 1st base last season, and would often recognize a pitcher's move to first even before Pods. Maybe those skills will be put to better use as the bench coach. As usual, we'll have to assume Ozzie knows best...

mike squires

04-03-2006, 02:26 AM

Only thing missing was Mike Squires hanging from the light tower unveiling the new championship banners.

SOXintheBURGH

04-03-2006, 02:26 AM

The defense of the championship debuted in stellar form tonight. All the new faces shined. Thorton, Anderson, and Jim Thome, welcome aboard. :gulp:

koch44

04-03-2006, 02:36 AM

Oh wait I meant 121-41, sorry if I confused anybody.:redface:

SoxSideIrish

04-03-2006, 02:38 AM

I hope we go wire to wire again!:smile:

Man, it would have been kick ass to hear Hawk call that Thome shot. Oh well Miller and Morgan were at least better than Buck and McCarver.

One done on the march to 121-61.

It's one of the "perks" of being world champs, we have to play 182 games the following season.

beckett21

04-03-2006, 02:42 AM

That was definitely worth staying up for.

Excellent performance by McCarthy in relief. He looked very strong out there.

Speaking of strong, Thome is really locked in. What a luxury to have him in the lineup this season. Looks like vintage Thome already.

Great to see Anderson and Thornton play well also. It's only one game, but it is a nice start. If Thornton pans out, that will go a long way to relieve the bullpen concerns.

Finally, baseball is here again. :bandance:

soxstarter

04-03-2006, 02:43 AM

You know, I like Paulie....but Thome has a new place in my heart now. What a great home run!

Frankfan4life

04-03-2006, 02:46 AM

What a good way to start the season! :D: Kudos to the fans who hung in there for the entire game. You guys represented Sox fans well.

Now, lets win this series!

Lip Man 1

04-03-2006, 03:08 AM

Considering the downer the weather caused it was great that they won the game. Opening day (or night in this case...) is always special and it's always great to start the season with a win.

I regret Mark served up that roller to Perez but all in all that's about it.

Now win Tuesday and take the series...just like last season, just win series after series and start getting a cushion.

Lip

SOX ADDICT '73

04-03-2006, 03:14 AM

Since the game ended after midnight, does Monday still count as an "off day"? :tongue:

hawkjt

04-03-2006, 03:16 AM

way to open the season(rain aside) with a laugher that allowed ozzie the luxury of getting almost everyone in to get the first game jitters out of the way.

Bullpen was excellant cept for Cliff who's velocity hopefully will come back to last springs level. Thornton looked good. Macarthy was back to end of season form.

I am a little nervous with only 3 righthanders in the pen, tho. I know we are going short til Hermy comes back if he does but I hope they have someone in mind.

Morgan said Thomes homer was longer than any last year- is that possible?
It was 435 ft I think. What a moon shot.

Hope this offense stays right where it is right now - go get'em Tuesday.

Chicago

04-03-2006, 03:21 AM

YESSS!!! I just got back from the Opener...
What A Night... OH BUT IT WAS WORTH IT.
That Opening Ceremony was unbelievable & a Jim Thome Homer along with a White Sox Winner only made it that much sweeter. Now I can't wait to get my ring on tuesday and hopefully see our second win of the season.

gbergman

04-03-2006, 03:37 AM

Great game!!! Way to go BA way to shed some of my doubts!!! this makes losing 160 at casino not so bad.

kittle42

04-03-2006, 03:45 AM

Just got back...best decision I made in a long time to stay through the delay.

patbooyah

04-03-2006, 03:54 AM

ha. i actually went to the first part of the game, went home during the rain, dried my clothes, ate a taco and then went back just as the rain delay was ending. it was perfect!!!

Foulke You

04-03-2006, 04:09 AM

Whew, what a marathon that game was to attend. Just got back from the game a little while ago. White Sox looked very good offensively today. Here are some random observations I took from the game:

1) Did anyone else think the F-18s buzzed the ballpark extremely low? I thought they were going to rip the top bank of bulbs off the first base side lights standard!:o: It was very cool though.:cool:

2) WORST WEATHER EVER! Definitely worse than the '03 Opening Day storm. I think it was raining sideways for about an hour and then was hailing for a while. I can't believe they even got this thing in! It is a tribute to the playing surface and drainage system we have as well as Roger Bossard's hard work. The conditions would have been unplayable at a lot of other parks.

3) I think the rain delay definitely helped the Sox. The Tribe had just tied it up and had all the momentum before the rains came. When play resumed 3 hours later the Sox still had fire in their belly while the Tribe looked like they were ready to go back to the hotel.

4) The Indians bullpen will miss Bob Howry and Arthur Rhodes. Such a shame.

5) Does anyone know what was going on behind the Tribe's dugout towards the end of the rain delay? I saw security swarm over there for a minute and the Tribe players were looking at some of the fans. Was there some jawing between players and fans?:?:

6) I commented at the beginning of the game that Sabathia looked heavier this year and then he goes and pulls a flab muscle...er...I mean abdominal muscle.

DeadMoney

04-03-2006, 04:25 AM

Great win. The Sox looked great. Politte and the rain are my only downers, but too much good to even complain about the bad.

6) I commented at the beginning of the game that Sabathia looked heavier this year and then he goes and pulls a flab muscle...er...I mean abdominal muscle.

I didn't notice anything different about Sabathia's size, but IMO he's always been HUGE, which has been the topic of many jokes maybe 4+ times per year.

SSN721

04-03-2006, 06:52 AM

What a way to start, although I had to look at the last 3 innings on my cell phone as the power was out in my apartment building after I got back from leaving after waiting an hour of the rain delay. BUt what the hell. What domination by the Sox last night. Worth the wait. Lets get the sweep. :D:

tebman

04-03-2006, 07:59 AM

What a good way to start the season! :D: Kudos to the fans who hung in there for the entire game. You guys represented Sox fans well.

zzz...what? Oh, were you talking to me?

Thanks. A splendid (and moist) time was had by all! And it was a pleasure for my son and me to visit DumpJerry's tailgate soiree before the game, where the food was good and the conversation was even better! Also got to meet Voodoochile in the Bullpen Sports Bar (and in the UD concourse as we hid from the rain).

Here's to 161 more! :gulp:

Bobbo35

04-03-2006, 08:00 AM

wow, we really outclassed the indians in all facets of the game tonight. i hope we can keep it up! gonna be a fun season. WTG Thome on CRUSHING that homerun!

That was a monster blast, glad I stayed.

Minnie Me

04-03-2006, 08:03 AM

Great win. The Sox looked great. Politte and the rain are my only downers, but too much good to even complain about the bad.

I didn't notice anything different about Sabathia's size, but IMO he's always been HUGE, which has been the topic of many jokes maybe 4+ times per year.

As I noted last week, CC had a terrible spring and was rocked in his last spring start. He was lost to the Tribe 6wks last year for the same injury.
Reminds me of Ozzies statement regarding fat pitchers, bobby jenks please take note. I still hate David Wells, but I love Mickey Lolich.

The Racehorse

04-03-2006, 08:18 AM

Did anyone else think the F-18s buzzed the ballpark extremely low? I thought they were going to rip the top bank of bulbs off the first base side lights standard!:o: It was very cool though.:cool:

Per the ESPN's game recap (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260402104),

The ceremony also featured the unfurling of an American flag as big as the outfield during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and then a knee-knocking flyover by two jets.

They showed the flyover twice on TV, which I also thought was really cool and really low. Though I'd have preferred a molar-rattling flyover from a couple of B-52's. :redneck

batmanZoSo

04-03-2006, 09:04 AM

Actually, this was a loss in BP's book. Since our hits < runs, you cannot actually win.

And our aggregate VORP on the day was deplorable..:rolleyes:

I actually had no idea we played, much less won I have to admit. I was all kinds of busy last night so I wasn't updated on the status of the delay. Ended up going to bed around 10, and didn't see or hear the news until now. At any rate, we still rule...

:moonwalk:

LongLiveFisk

04-03-2006, 09:14 AM

What a great start! I'm sure I wasn't the only one who went to bed last night thinking rainout all the way. A pleasant surprise this morning, though. :bandance:

And I couldn't believe how many people stayed! That was awesome. :cool:

SOecks

04-03-2006, 09:59 AM

That flyover was extremely low and quite surprising since I was in the bleachers facing the other way. I heard it first and it was bone rattling. I couldn't stop shaking after that and watching the video montage and introductions. What a night at the ballpark.

itsnotrequired

04-03-2006, 10:02 AM

zzz...what? Oh, were you talking to me?

I was able to keep it together at the game but almost missed my train stop due to some zzzzzzz.:D:

voodoochile

04-03-2006, 10:55 AM

Well, I'm late to this thread... that's because I was late getting home.

Yep, I stayed for every second of the game. What the heck, it's the only game I am guaranteed to go to this year and I wasn't going to leave until they called it. My friend stayed too. She's a trooper because she normally goes to sleep around 10:00 - some nights even earlier but we finally made it home cold, damp, exhausted and happy at 2:30 AM. We were on the last train from the stadium, and the last people to leave our car on the train. Of course the final inning started at 1:02 on the stadium clock which is technically speaking against league policy. I wonder if the toons will appeal. :rolleyes:

What a night. These are the highlights that stuck out at me...

JIM THOME! That ball was crushed. I have pictures of the fireworks from that blast, but I have to wait until I get home to upload them to my computer. It will be about a week before I get them.

McCarthy is amazing. His change had people guessing badly. He is going to be a major force some day soon and my bet is they are going to HAVE to do something before next season starts to open up a spot for him.

Thornton even looked solid.

Anderson is going to make people say "Aaron who?" sooner rather than later. The kid can play the game.

I called the first hit of the season. It wasn't exactly the way I pictured it, but I called the player and the at bat. Speaking of which, prior to his solid single, Dye must have held (and maybe still does hold) the record for lightest 1.000 average in MLB history. :D:

Nice to see most of the team contribute to this win. Great hitting and solid defense. It does indeed look like an improved version of last years team.

On a night when the team had every reason to be distracted and have a let down. On a night when the opposing team wanted desperately to make a statement and rain all over our celebration, the Sox once again looked unbeatable and the toons... well... I'll let the music do the talking...

"All the little chicks in the crimson lips
They know that
CLEVELAND SUCKS! CLEVELAND SUCKS!"

No apologies to Ian Hunter needed... he's the one who needs to apologize to us for getting the words wrong in the first place...

WS contenders my ass. If CC is out for any length of time they are ****ed.

Here's to 2006! May it be even more fun than 2005! :gulp:

GO SOX!!!

Edit: Oh and nice to meet you too, Tebman. I even ran into Itsnotrequired for the second time in two nights.

To his credit, he looked so exhausted I almost am willing to say he stuck it out and did it live.

Just to add to what everyone said, it was an awesome night. The banner ceremony was beautiful, and it was like old times after the rain delay, taking the "Comiskey Upgrade" and sitting 5 rows behind the Sox dugout. I know I'm going to hell for stealing someone's seat 4 hours after they left, but it was worth it

Deebs14

04-03-2006, 11:10 AM

The biggest laugh of the game, for me, was when Dye practically walked over to second to get his first SB stat! He was great last night!

For real...he was busting out the wheels last night! :cool:

scottjanssens

04-03-2006, 11:19 AM

And our aggregate VORP on the day was deplorable..:rolleyes:

I actually had no idea we played, much less won I have to admit. I was all kinds of busy last night so I wasn't updated on the status of the delay. Ended up going to bed around 10, and didn't see or hear the news until now. At any rate, we still rule...

You're making fun of the folks at BP?! At least they knew there was a game last night.

Mendoza Line

04-03-2006, 11:42 AM

I absolutely loved Thome's homer. I had a spider-sense feeling that it was coming during that at-bat and he surely didn't disappoint!

And can someone please teach the ESPN announcers to say "Tadahito Iguchi"? They actually called him "Tada Taguchi" multiple times.

palehozenychicty

04-03-2006, 12:15 PM

I absolutely loved Thome's homer. I had a spider-sense feeling that it was coming during that at-bat and he surely didn't disappoint!

And can someone please teach the ESPN announcers to say "Tadahito Iguchi"? They actually called him "Tada Taguchi" multiple times.

It is surprising that the East Coast network can't get the Japanese pronunciation right. They have little trouble saying "Hideki Matsui".

ilsox7

04-03-2006, 12:19 PM

Well, I'm late to this thread... that's because I was late getting home.

Yep, I stayed for every second of the game. What the heck, it's the only game I am guaranteed to go to this year and I wasn't going to leave until they called it. My friend stayed too. She's a trooper because she normally goes to sleep around 10:00 - some nights even earlier but we finally made it home cold, damp, exhausted and happy at 2:30 AM. We were on the last train from the stadium, and the last people to leave our car on the train. Of course the final inning started at 1:02 on the stadium clock which is technically speaking against league policy. I wonder if the toons will appeal. :rolleyes:

I thought the same, until someone last night on some TV station mentioned that this rule has since been repealed as of about 6 years ago.

BackNBlack

04-03-2006, 12:24 PM

I just woke up after last nights win, and now I need to get some more rest because I got to go to tomarrows game! Woo Hooo.

johnr1note

04-03-2006, 12:26 PM

I was there too, with my 9 year old son, who had school this morning, so we had to leave in the middle of the rain delay. I will say, more people stayed than i thought, as the parking lots were still full, and it was a cinch to get out (though the water was at mid-hub-cap level in Lot L).

The opening ceremony was absolutely fantastic. I thought using the video/music montage to unveil the banners was genius. And as an "old timer," the concept of interspersing video of "past glories" (shots of the 59 team, Fisk, Allen, Luzinski, etc.) helped to bring a connection to ALL the history that was on those banners, not just last season. Of course, the focus was on 2005, but the totality of it was a brilliant package.

If that's what our fighter jets look like to the enemy, I'm surprised there is ANY resistance.

Despite the weather and having to leave early for my son, it was a great night.

SoxEd

04-03-2006, 12:28 PM

Who else thinks that 'this Jim Thome keed' may just have a future with this team?
:D:

TaylorStSox

04-03-2006, 12:29 PM

It was a nice start. Everyone looked relaxed at the plate. I thought they might press early in the season. Hopefully, they stay patient.

I'm still concerned about Politte. His stuff has definitely tailored off since the second half of last year.

Baby Fisk

04-03-2006, 12:35 PM

Who else thinks that 'this Jim Thome keed' may just have a future with this team?
:D:
I can't stop playing the HR replay. 431 feet! HELLO CHICAGO! :bandance:

Thome's face was a mask of intensity all night. He looked like he wanted to kill the ball out there.

Another ESPN boner: anyone notice that they listed THOME starting at 1B last night? I felt sick to my stomach suddenly worried that something had happened to Konerko. GET IT RIGHT, ESPN YOU MORONS! :mad:

SoLongFrank

04-03-2006, 01:11 PM

A-N-D-E-R-S-O-N! He was the real story of the night. What some considered the White Sox biggest weakness was a bigger than Crede strength.

batmanZoSo

04-03-2006, 01:17 PM

You're making fun of the folks at BP?! At least they knew there was a game last night.

Touché.

Hitmen77

04-03-2006, 03:14 PM

I'm still concerned about Politte. His stuff has definitely tailored off since the second half of last year.

How did Cliff do in spring training? I didn't follow closely enough to know for sure, but I thought he was finally coming around the last half of ST after a rough start. If so, I hope that's more indicative of his progress than his preformance last night.

mike squires

04-03-2006, 03:21 PM

A-N-D-E-R-S-O-N! He was the real story of the night. What some considered the White Sox biggest weakness was a bigger than Crede strength.

Anderson may be a key if AJ and/or Crede slump a little bit during the long stretches of the season. Konerko as well. Anderson may just help carry this team at some points like a Crede can do sometimes. I hope he doesn't buckle under pressure being so young.

robiwho

04-03-2006, 03:52 PM

Just to add to what everyone said, it was an awesome night. The banner ceremony was beautiful, and it was like old times after the rain delay, taking the "Comiskey Upgrade" and sitting 5 rows behind the Sox dugout. I know I'm going to hell for stealing someone's seat 4 hours after they left, but it was worth it

It was great seeing you last night -- as always. Thanks for being my landmark for getting back to our swiped seats!

pdimas

04-03-2006, 04:10 PM

Anyone else pleasantly surprised by Anderson's arm strength? When the ball was hit out to center field we all did this :o: when Anderson picked up the ball and relayed it to Iguchi I believe.

Foulke You

04-03-2006, 04:19 PM

Anyone else pleasantly surprised by Anderson's arm strength? When the ball was hit out to center field we all did this :o: when Anderson picked up the ball and relayed it to Iguchi I believe.
Yeah, I noticed that too. I knew he had an above average arm but he fired that ball in on a fly to Iguchi from the center field warning track. Definitely was an encouraging sign. Thome's blast was awesome but Anderson's all around great performance was the highlight for me.

PAPChiSox729

04-03-2006, 04:26 PM

That was a great way to start the season. It was definitely worth staying up for. I didn't do anything in school today anyways... haha. Thorton looked very strong out there. If he can put things together, our bullpen would start to look a lot better. I mean KW is just so good at finding talent in the scrap heap it is becoming ridiculous!

DeadMoney

04-03-2006, 04:28 PM

Just got my pictures online and here are two notables:
http://us.a1.yahoofs.com/users/41a51da2zee16cc74/e84f/__sr_/cfe7.jpg?phojYMEB3QQZVSL_

The second shows the banner on the left being a little split on the far left side.

Tragg

04-03-2006, 04:36 PM

Great pitching by McCarthy. This guy is an extremely valuable player, particularly on this team with some lingering pen ??s. Hopefully, he's here to stay and all the silly "trade him to plug a hole" talk ceases.

We're only 1 game ahead of Cleveland in the standings; but just like Cleveland was technically baseball's best team last year, technically, we're 6 up; Cleveland could beat us by 1 5 times in a row, and we'd be the better ballclub, per pecota, bp, etc.
It's a comfortable feeling.

pearso66

04-03-2006, 07:21 PM

I stayed the whole game, and boy was it worth it. Thome just missed one in the 1st inning. I thought it was gone the way it sounded off the bat, but then I saw where the CFer was and was kind of bummed since I called Thome homer in the 1st.

Anyone who stayed, did you notice that they didn't come out to take the tarp off until the Sox Pride was over? My brother and I were joking that they were forcing Cleveland to watch us win the WS again.

After the Rain delay, the Sox game out to play, while Cleveland came out flat, it almost seemed they didn't want to play, and wanted to go home. Dye was very good last night, and Anderson was outstanding on all aspects of the game.

I agree with whomever else said it, the scorecards were way too small. I couldn't fit any information in the squares, and having only 4 pitching slots made it tough with all the changes Cleveland made, but my scorecard is complete anyway.

And if the person sitting next to me in section 547 row 11 seat 20 is a poster here, it was great talking to you last night. I always enjoy talking to fellow Sox fans.

SoxFan33

04-04-2006, 02:20 PM

I didnt stay for the game :(: I got home and then realized they were still going to play!! I was pissed off but glad I got to be there for the beginning. I was in section 546 row 5 :D: We were close by! I enjoyed the veiw lol, though Im not usually up that high..Otherwise it was great!!!! I can't wait to go to many more games this season. Glad they kicked some ass :bandance: